Motorcycle communication system with radar detector, and mounting assemblies therefor

ABSTRACT

A communication system for use with a motorcycle includes a main unit that has a detector and a transmitter that transmits an alert signal upon the detection of a radar or laser by the detector. The system further includes either a visual indicator or an audio indicator. The visual indicator has a receiver that receives the alert signal from the transmitter, and a display which provides a visual display of the alert signal. The audio indicator has a receiver that receives the alert signal from the transmitter, and a speaker which emits an auditory response of the alert signal. The system can further include a mounting assembly having a connector that is removably connected to a part of a motorcycle, a support bracket to which the main unit is removably coupled, and a link that pivotably couples the support bracket and the connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication system that can be usedwith a motorcycle, and mounting assemblies that can be used to mount themain unit of the system to the motorcycle. The communication systemincludes a radar and/or detector.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Most radar detectors are designed for use inside or with automobiles.

Unfortunately, it is more challenging to adapt radar detectors for usewith motorcycles.

First, noise is a major problem, because the road noise cannot beinsulated or blocked out. Wind and engine noises also pose similarproblems. As a result, the motorcycle rider cannot hear audible alertsissued by the radar detector.

Second, the rider often cannot see visual alerts being emitted by theradar detector because the radar detector is often mounted at a locationthat is outside the rider's visual field. In addition, motorcycles alsoreceive more direct sunlight than automobiles, and the direct sunlightcan make it difficult for the rider to see the displays on the radardetector.

Third, riders often wear gloves when riding. The buttons on conventionalradar detectors are small, so they are difficult to actuate when wearinggloves.

Fourth, mounting a radar detector to a motorcycle can be challengingbecause one must find a location on a motorcycle that provides a goodfit, is visually appealing, and does not interfere with the rider'soperation of the motorcycle.

Fifth, waterproofing can also be a problem. Conventional automobileradar detectors are not waterproof, and are therefore not well suitedfor use with motorcycles.

Many of these issues also apply to the provision of any communicationunit on a motorcycle. For example, audio devices (e.g., radios, musicplayers), phones, and similar appliances will experience similarproblems as a radar detector when used with a motorcycle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present invention to provide a communicationsystem that can conveniently and effectively be used with a motorcycle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a radardetector that can conveniently and effectively be used with amotorcycle.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a mountingsystem that effectively and conveniently mounts a communication unit toa motorcycle.

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the presentinvention provides a communication system for use with a motorcycle,which includes a main unit that has a detector and a transmitter thattransmits an alert signal upon the detection of a radar or laser by thedetector. The system further includes either a visual indicator or anaudio indicator. The visual indicator has a receiver that receives thealert signal from the transmitter, and a display which provides a visualdisplay of the alert signal. The audio indicator has a receiver thatreceives the alert signal from the, transmitter, and a speaker whichemits an auditory response of the alert signal. The system can furtherinclude a mounting assembly having a connector that is removablyconnected to a part of a motorcycle, a support bracket to which the mainunit is removably coupled, and a link that pivotably couples the supportbracket and the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main unit of a communication systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the audio indicator of a communicationsystem according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the visual indicator of acommunication system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the communicationsystem according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the communicationsystem according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate various locations on a motorcycle where amounting assembly can be mounted.

FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of a mounting assembly that canbe utilized for a sport-bike mount, shown with the main unit.

FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the mounting assembly of FIG.7A.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a mounting assembly that can beutilized for a handlebar mount.

FIG. 8B is an exploded perspective view of the mounting assembly of FIG.8A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another mounting assembly that can beutilized for a handlebar mount.

FIG. 9B is an exploded perspective view of the mounting assembly of FIG.9A.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a mounting assembly that can beutilized for the Honda™ CBR1000RR motorcycle.

FIG. 10B is an exploded perspective view of the mounting assembly ofFIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a mounting assembly that can beutilized for the Kawasaki™ ZX-10R motorcycle.

FIG. 11B is an exploded perspective view of the mounting assembly ofFIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratinggeneral principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a communication system 20according to the present invention. The communication system 20 includesa main unit 22, a visual indicator 24, and an audio indicator 26. Themain unit 22 can be packaged for use with either the visual indicator 24or the audio indicator 26, since the visual indicator 24 is notnecessary if the audio indicator 26 is being used, and vice versa.

The main unit 22 operates in the same manner as a conventionalautomobile radar detector. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the main unit 22has a housing 30 (which can be made of two housing pieces), with an LCDdisplay 32 provided at an angled orientation on the top surface of thehousing 30 to allow for convenient viewing by a rider, or even in anautomobile. The LCD display 32 is adapted to display importantinformation such as modes, signals detected, volume, etc. The LCDdisplay 32 is positioned at the distal end of the housing 30 at an angleof approximately 30 degrees to the horizontal. It was determined thatthis angle provides the optimum position for viewing on a sportbike orcruiser, while still allowing for viewing on a dashboard of anautomobile. A plurality of buttons 34 are provided in spaced-apartmanner on the top surface of the housing 30. The buttons 34 can be madevery large (e.g., with a diameter of about half an inch) so that theycan be easily pressed by a rider wearing gloves.

The main unit 22 has two jacks on the side of the housing 30, with thejacks covered by jack covers 36. One jack is for receiving a power line,and the other jack is an audio output jack 33 that is adapted to receivean audio output line. A variety of different devices can be coupled tothe audio output jack. For example, some riders use a communicationsystem to communicate with other riders, which includes speakers withina rider's helmet. These communication systems can operate like a two-wayradio, and uses an existing headset that would allow the main unit 22 tobe integrated with an already-existing communication system. One exampleis the GMRS X1 made by Chatterbox. Another device that can be pluggedinto the audio output jack is a BLUETOOTH™ adapter, which is a smallelectronic device that usually plugs into non-BLUETOOTH™ phones so thatthey can be used with BLUETOOTH™ headsets. Plugging a BLUETOOTH™ adapterinto the radar detector main unit 22 would allow the rider to use aBLUETOOTH™ headset to receive alert signals.

The housing 30 is designed to be water-resistant by providing a rubbergasket between the two housing pieces. The buttons 34 are also made ofrubber and inserted into wells using an interference fit. A rubbergasket can be sandwiched between the jacks and the inside of the housing30. Other plastic components can be ultrasonically welded or heat stakedto maximize the waterproofing.

The main unit 22 also houses the electronics for the radar detector,including a controller (CPU) 38, a laser sensor 40 and a radar antenna42. The laser sensor 40 is adapted to receive conventional laser signalsfrom a laser gun, and the radar antenna is adapted to receiveconventional microwave radar signals from a radar gun. The laser sensor40 and the radar antenna 42 are coupled to the controller 38 to providethese signals to the controller 38, and can be embodied in the form ofany of the conventional laser sensors and radar antennas that areavailable in the marketplace. A transmitter 46 (e.g., an antenna) iscoupled to the controller 38 to transmit the necessary signal to eithera visual indicator 24 or an audio indicator 26. A speaker 44 is coupledto the controller 38 for broadcasting an audible beep or other audioindication to warn the rider that a police radar is nearby. The actualspeaker 44 is not shown in FIG. 1, but is located at a hole at thebottom of the housing 30. A film can be placed over the the speaker atthe location of the speaker hole to provide the needed waterproofing.However, since the audible beep may be drowned out by the road noiseencountered by a rider on a motorcycle, a separate indicator 24 or 26 isprovided to alert the rider.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the main unit 22 can be powered by batteries (not shown), or wiredto the motorcycle's power source.

Conventional radar antennas are normally embodied in the form of ahorn-type antenna that detects microwaves and photodiodes to detectlaser beams. Unfortunately, the horn occupies a large amount of space.Therefore, as an alternative, the radar antenna 42 can be embodied inthe form of a microstrip antenna. Since microstrip antennas should bemounted vertically when in use, the antenna can be housed in a pivotableor movable housing which is flipped up (similar to a mobile phone) whenthe main unit 22 is in use. The LCD display 32 can even be provided inthe pivotable part of the housing so that the display 32 can be flippedopen like the display on a mobile phone.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the audio indicator 26 includes a receivermodule 50 and a speaker 52 that are coupled together by a wire 54. Thereceiver module 50 can be mounted to the outside of the rider's helmetusing VELCRO™, double-sided tape, hooks, or other similar attachmentmechanisms. The speaker 52 can be mounted inside the helmet (usingsimilar attachment mechanisms) adjacent the rider's ear. The wire 54couples the receiver module 50 and the speaker 52, such as by feedingthe wire 54 between the soft inner foam and hard outer shell of thehelmet. The receiver module 50 houses a controller (CPU) 56 that iscoupled to a receiver 58 (e.g., an antenna) and a power button 60 thatis used to turn the receiver module 50 on and off. When the main unit 22detects a radar or laser signal, it transmits (via the transmitter 46)the information to the controller 56 via the receiver 58, which in turncauses the speaker 52 to emit a warning signal to the rider. The pitchand frequency of the warning signal can vary depending on the signalstrength and type (e.g., K band, Ka band, X band, laser). The housing ofthe receiving module 50 can be made water-resistant in the same manneras the housing 30 described above.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the visual indicator 24 can be mounted tothe top of the gauges or the windsscreen using VELCRO™, double-sidedtape, hooks, or other similar attachment mechanisms. Alternatively, itcan be mounted to the handlebar of a motorcycle via a mount 66. Thehousing 78 of the visual indicator 24 can be water-resistant in the samemanner as the housing 30 described above. A window 74 can be provided onthe housing 78 for shielding a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)75. The visual indicator 24 houses a controller (CPU) 68 that is coupledto a receiver 70 (e.g., an antenna) and a power button 72 that is usedto turn the visual indicator 24 on and off. When the main unit 22detects a radar or laser signal, it transmits (via the transmitter 46)the information to the controller 68 via the receiver 70, which in turncauses the LEDs 75 to light up or flash, thereby alerting the rider. TheLED flash frequency can correlate to the strength of the detected signaland the type of signal. The LEDs 75 can also flash in different colorsto indicate different radar bands, lasers, and the like.

In addition, extremely bright LEDs 75 are necessary in order for theflashing to be visible to the rider in daylight. However, high intensityflashing of the LEDs 75 at night can be distracting and dangerous, so aphotosensor 76 is incorporated with the visual indicator 24, andcooperates with the controller 68, to adjust the intensity of the LEDs75 to appropriate levels depending on whether it is daytime ornighttime. The user can also manually control the intensity level usingthe buttons 34 on the main unit 22.

The mount 66 can have a mounting plate 80 that has opposite L-shapedtracks 82, 84 that define a rail track for receiving a corresponding setof opposing L-shaped flanges 86, 88 extending from the bottom of thehousing 78. The mounting plate 80 can be mounted on to the top of a pairof semi-circular holders 90, 92, with the holders 90, 92 defining agenerally round interior space 94 that is adapted to receive the shaftof a handlebar of a motorcycle. In one embodiment, the mounting plate 80and the holders 90, 92 can be provided in the same piece. In use, theholders 90, 92 are placed around the shaft of a handlebar, and a screw96 is threaded through threaded bores in the bottom of the holders 90,92 to secure the holders 90, 92 together around the shaft. The flanges86 and 88 can then be slid under the tracks 82 and 84, respectively, tosecure the visual indicator 24 to the mount 66.

In addition to the visual indicator 24 and the audio indicator 26, otherindicators can be used to alert the rider. For example, for riders whodo not wear helmets, an audio indicator in the form of an earpiece canbe clipped to a rider's collar or jacket, or secured around the rider'sear. As another example, a vibrating band 98 (see FIG. 5) can be worn bythe rider around the wrist, neck or other body part, and adapted tovibrate when the main unit 22 detects a police radar nearby. Thevibrating band can have the same components as the audio indicator 26except that the speaker 52 is replaced by a vibrating mechanism. As yetanother alternative, a receiver (similar to 58) can be mounted to theframe of a rider's sunglasses, and a visual, audio, vibrating or otheralert can be provided on the sunglasses.

FIG. 5 illustrates how the system shown in FIG. 4 can be extended to acomplete communication system that can be used by motorcyclists. Themain unit 22 can be provided as a main console, and each main unit 22will include a receiver 23 that is similar to the receiver 58 or 70. Asshown in FIG. 5, one main unit 22 (designated as Main Console #1) cancommunicate with a plurality of other main units 22 via the transmitter46 and the receivers 23 in a network of main consoles and otherperipheral devices that can be configured in any desired mannerdepending on the number of users, and the desired objectives. Thecommunication can be bidirectional or in a single direction. Theseelectronic peripheral devices can be adapted to wirelessly communicatewith the main unit 22, and can include a visual alert 24a, a portableaudio device 26a, a vibratory alert 98, a mobile phone 100, a radio 102,a two-way radio 104, a global positioning system (GPS) 106, and aheadset transceiver 108, among others.

The visual alert 24a shown in FIG. 5 can be the same as the visualindicator 24 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, except that other features can beincorporated if the visual indicator 24 is used in the communicationsystem of FIG. 5. For example, the LEDs 75 (or other additional lightsources) can be made to flash or emit light to alert the rider ofincoming phone calls or other messages.

The headset transceiver 108 can include a microphone 110 and earphones112. The earphones 112 can be mounted to the helmet in a manner similarto the headset speaker 52 described above, or can be ear plugs that areinsertable into a rider's ears. The microphone 110 can be provided in aunitary unit together with the earphones 112, and the unit can be wornby the rider such that the microphone 110 is positioned adjacent therider's mouth.

The audio device 26 a shown in FIG. 5 can be the same as the audioindicator 26 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, except that other audio devices canbe used as part of this communication system. Examples of these audiodevices include MP3 players, CD players and the like. The main unit 22receives audio signals from the audio device 26 a, and then transmitsthese signals to the transceiver 108 which then transmits these signalsto the earphones 112 to broadcast music or sounds. Audio signals fromthe radio 102 can be communicated using the same method. Similarly, GPSsignals from the GPS 106 can be communicated in the form of audiosignals to provide auditory directions to the rider. The rider cancontrol the audio devices 26 a, GPS 106 and radio 102 at the main unit22, or directly at the particular peripheral device.

The mobile phone 100 can communicate with the rider via the main unit22, which relays the phone signals to the earphone 1 12 and from themicrophone 1 10 via the transceiver 108. This allows the rider to placeand receive phone calls without having to hold the phone to his/herhead. Speech recognition software can be employed to help the riderplace and receive phone calls. Audio signals to and from the two-wayradio 104 can be communicated using the same method to allow a rider tocommunicate with another rider. The rider can control the phone 100 orthe two-way radio 104 at the main unit 22, or directly at the particularperipheral device.

In addition, the main unit 22 can communicate with one or more of aplurality of other main units 22 (i.e., other riders). Each rider cancommunicate using the microphone 110 and earphones 112 at thetransceiver 108, which communicates with another rider via the mainunits 22 that are associated with rider. As shown in FIG. 5, a networkof riders can be created to allow for the sharing of informationrelating to road conditions, traffic, weather, and other factors. Forexample, when a rider encounters a radar signal, the location of theradar signal can be stored for a period of time at a central databasethat can be accessed by other riders. When another rider enters thegeographic area of the radar signal, the recent radar signals stored inthe network are conveyed to the new rider. Thus, each main unit 22 isessentially used as a communication hub.

The main unit 22 can even communicate signals received from satellites,cellular and other sources 114. These signals can contain informationrelating to weather, traffic, road hazards, etc.

As an alternative, the radar detector and the laser detector can beprovided as separate peripheral devices, and not as part of the mainunit 22.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate the various mounting assemblies that can be usedto mount the main unit 22 to a motorcycle. FIG. 6A illustrates thehandlebar 200 of a conventional motorcycle. The mounting assembly can besecured to any of the locations indicated by the circled regions 202,204 and 206 along the handlebar 200. FIG. 6B illustrates the steeringbridge 210 of a conventional motorcycle. The bridge 210 has a steeringstem 212 that is surrounded by a nut 213. The mounting assembly can besecured to the steering bridge 210 by replacing the stock steering stemnut 213. FIG. 6C illustrates the steering stabilizer 220 on a bridge 210of a Honda™ CBR1000RR. The mounting assembly can be secured to thesteering stabilizer 220 by removing the two top cover screws 222.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a mounting assembly 300 that can be mounted tothe location of the stem 212 in FIG. 6B by removing the nut 213 at thestem 212. The mounting assembly 300 has a support bracket 310, a nutmount 312, and a link 314 that pivotably couples the bracket 310 to thenut mount 312. The bracket 310 has a planar base 320, and three sidewalls 322, 324, 326. Short extensions 328 extend inwardly from the sidewalls 322, 326 to define two opposing rail tracks. A ball 330 extendsfrom the bottom of the base 320. The nut mount 312 has a hexagonal body332 that has internal threads (not shown) that are adapted to bethreadably engaged to the steering stem 212 of the motorcycle in placeof the nut 213. A ball 334 extends from the top of the body 332. Thelink 314 has two separate link pieces 336 and 338. Each link piece 336,338 has a hemispherical recess 340 provided on the inner surface 342 atits top end, and another hemispherical recess 344 provided on the innersurface 342 at its bottom end. The ball 330 is adapted to be receivedfor pivoting motion inside the recesses 340, and the ball 334 is adaptedto be received for pivoting motion inside the recesses 344. A screw 346extends through threaded openings 348 provided at about the center ofthe link pieces 336, 338 to secure the link pieces 336, 338 together.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the bottom of the housing 30 of the main unit 22has a set of opposing L-shaped flanges 35 and 37 that are adapted to beslid under the extensions 328 of the side walls 322 and 326,respectively, to secure the main unit 22 to the bracket 310 of themounting assembly 300. In use, the nut mount 312 is threadably securedto the steering stem 212 of the motorcycle after the nut 213 has beenremoved, and the pivoting ball joints at the balls 330, 334 allow thebracket 310 to be positioned at any desired orientation or angle withrespect to the steering stem 210.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a mounting assembly 360 that can be mounted toany of the handlebar locations 202, 204, 206 shown in FIG. 6A. Themounting assembly 360 has a support bracket 310, handlebar mount 362,and a link 314 that pivotably couples the bracket 310 to the handlebarmount 362. The bracket 310 and the link 314 can be the same as thebracket 310 and link 314 described above in connection with FIGS. 7A-7B.The handlebar mount 362 has a left holder 364 and a right holder 366,each of which is semi-circular in configuration to define a generallycylindrical interior space 368 that is adapted to receive the shaft of ahandlebar of a motorcycle. Semi-circular spacers 370, 372 can beprovided on the interior concave surfaces of the holders 364, 366 toprovide a better grip of the handlebar 200. In addition, a hemisphericalrecess 380 is provided on the inner surface at its top end of bothholders 364, 366. A double-ball joint 374 having two balls 376, 378 isprovided to pivotably couple the link 314 to the mount 362.Specifically, the ball 376 is received for pivoting motion inside therecesses 344 of the link pieces 336, 338, and the ball 378 is receivedfor pivoting motion inside the recesses 380 of the holders 364, 366. Inaddition, the ball 330 is adapted to be received for pivoting motioninside the recesses 340 of the link pieces 336, 338. In use, the holders364, 366 are placed around the shaft of a handlebar 200, and a screw 382is threaded through threaded openings 384 in the holders 364, 366 tosecure the holders 364, 366 together around the shaft. The pivoting balljoints at the balls 330, 376, 378 allow the bracket 310 to be positionedat any desired orientation or angle with respect to the handlebar 200.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate a modification that can be made to the mountingassembly 360, where the two-ball joint 374 and the link 314 have beenomitted, so that the ball 330 is adapted to be received for pivotingmotion inside the recesses 380 of the holders 364, 366. The pivotingball joint at the ball 330 allows the bracket 310 to be positioned atany desired orientation or angle with respect to the handlebar 200.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate a mounting assembly 400 that can be mounted tothe steering stabilizer 220 in FIG. 6C of a Honda™ CBR1000RR motorcycle.The mounting assembly 400 includes a bracket 310 and a link 314 that canbe the same as the bracket 310 and link 314 in FIGS. 7A-7B. The nutmount 312 is replaced by a bar mount 402, which has a bar 404, a ball405 provided at the top of the bar 404, and two openings 406 provided atopposite ends of the bar 404. Bolts 408 are threaded through theopenings 406 to be secured to openings provided on the steeringstabilizer 220 on a Honda™ CBR1000RR motorcycle. Washers 410 can beprovided below the bar 404 to further facilitate the mounting. The ball405 is received for pivoting motion inside the recesses 344. In use, thebar mount 402 is secured to the steering stabilizer 220, and thepivoting ball joints at the balls 330, 405 allow the bracket 310 to bepositioned at any desired orientation or angle with respect to thesteering stabilizer 220.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate a mounting assembly 420 that can be mounted tothe location of the stem 212 in FIG. 6B of a Kawasaki™ ZX-10Rmotorcycle. The mounting assembly 420 includes a bracket 310 and a link314 that can be the same as the bracket 310 and link 314 in FIGS. 7A-7B.The nut mount 312 is replaced by a different nut mount 422, which has anut 424 with hexagonal surfaces 425, a plate 426, and a ball 428provided at the top of the plate 426. The plate 426 has a surface areathat is greater than the surface area of the top of the nut 424, so thata portion of the plate 426 extends out from the periphery of the nut424. The plate 426 is secured to the top of the nut 424 by screws 430,and slots 431 in the plate 426 allow the orientation of the plate 426 tobe adjusted with respect to the nut 424. The ball 428 is located at theportion of the plate 426 that extends out from the periphery of the nut424, so as to avoid interference with the steering stabilizer on theKawasaki™ ZX-10R motorcycle. The ball 428 is received for pivotingmotion inside the recesses 344. In use, the nut mount 422 is threadablysecured to the steering stem 212 of a Kawasaki™ ZX-10R motorcycle, andthe pivoting ball joints at the balls 330, 428 allow the bracket 310 tobe positioned at any desired orientation or angle with respect to thesteering stem 212.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A communication system for use with a motorcycle, comprising: a mainunit that includes a detector and a transmitter that transmits an alertsignal upon the detection of a radar or laser by the detector; and avisual indicator having a receiver that receives the alert signal fromthe transmitter, and a display which provides a visual display of thealert signal, the visual indicator being mounted to a portion of amotorcycle.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and thereceiver communicate the alert signal wirelessly.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the visual indicator further includes means for adjusting theintensity of the visual display.
 4. The system of claim 1, furtherincluding a mount coupled to the visual indicator for removablyattaching the visual indicator to a portion of a motorcycle.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the visual display is an LED display.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, further including a mounting assembly coupled to themain unit for removably attaching the main unit to a part of amotorcycle.
 7. The system of claim 1, further including a separateperipheral device that communicates wirelessly with the main unit. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein the separate peripheral device is anothermain unit.
 9. A communication system for use with a motorcycle,comprising: a main unit that includes a detector and a transmitter thattransmits an alert signal upon the detection of a radar or laser by thedetector; and an audio indicator having a receiver that receives thealert signal from the transmitter, and a speaker which emits an auditoryresponse of the alert signal.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thetransmitter and the receiver communicate the alert signal wirelessly.11. The system of claim 9, further including a helmet, with the audioindicator removably attached to the helmet.
 12. The system of claim 9,further including a mounting assembly coupled to the main unit forremovably attaching the main unit to a part of a motorcycle.
 13. Thesystem of claim 9, further including a separate peripheral device thatcommunicates wirelessly with the main unit.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein the separate peripheral device is another main unit. 15-17.(canceled)